Minotaur

By: Daniel Lister and Taniya Johnson

Minotaur

By: Daniel Lister and Taniya Johnson

What is the Minotaur ?

The Minotaur is a monstrous double, a creature with a body of a bull and a head of a man or vice-versa. He was created from the wife of Minos, Pasiphae.

Where/How was the Minotaur created?

Minotaur was the creature born of Pasiphae, Minos wife, the King of Crete and a white bull sent by Poseidon who was angry with Minos. Minos was so ashamed of his wife had crated, that he ordered Daedalus to hide the Minotaur. Daedalus built a maze called the Labyrinth where he was to live and never escape.

Pasiphae and the bull

What does the Minotaur do?

At first the Minotaur would ravage the island as revenge for the God Neptune who was angry that Minos once tried to trick him. Since the king of Crete had long battles with Athens, the Athenians sent the king to of Crete seven virgins, boys and girls, for the sacrifice as the tribute. The Athenians wanted to avoid future wars with the town of Crete, this is why they sent the virgin children. Minotaur would devour the children while they were locked in the maze. This is when Minotaur became the person who sacrificed Athenian youths.

Importance of the Minotaur

The Minotaur was important because he was basically used to keep the peace between the city of Crete and Athens. The Athenians were afraid to go back to war with the city of Crete so they sent their virgin children as an offering of peace.

Any other connections?

Minotaur also had a connection with Theseus, the son of Aegeus. Theseus became curious about why they always sent seven virgin children to Crete. Once Aegeus told him the reasoning(to feed the Minotaur) for sending them to Crete, he decided that he wanted to be one of the ones to go. Once Theseus and the other children arrived at Crete, Theseus stepped up and said he was going to kill the Minotaur and would like to enter the Labyrinth first. King Minos knew that even if Theseus did manage to kill the Minotaur, he wouldn't be able to exit the maze. However, Princess Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, fell madly in love with Theseus when she saw him. Since she knew that he would never be able to exit the maze, she decided to help him so they could be together if he defeated the Minotaur. Princess Ariadne gave Theseus a rope to tie to the exit when he entered, so that he could follow it back, once he finished with the Minotaur. Theseus found the Minotaur, and they started to fight. Theseus then grabbed on to the horns of the Minotaur, and shook him. Once the Minotaur was dizzy, Theseus snapped his neck. Then Theseus then took the rope and made it back out of the Labyrinth.

Theseus and The Minotaur.

Princess Ariadne and Thesus

The Labyrinth.(Maze)

Theseus and The Minotaur.

Princess Ariadne and Thesus

The Labyrinth.(Maze)

What was the Minotaur known for?

The Minotaur is known for being the savage of Athenian Youths, and staying inside the Labyrinth.